Danny Amendola's Injury Leaves Patriots With Tough Decision At Punt Returner

The New Enlgand Patriots likely will play their final four regular-season games without wide receiver Danny Amendola, who reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Amendola should be ready to go come playoff time, a source told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. But in the meantime, the Patriots have a decision to make: Who will be their new primary punt returner?

It’s not that New England doesn’t have any capable replacements for Amendola. In theory, it has two. But given the circumstances, neither looks like a particularly desirable option right now.

The first is rookie Cyrus Jones, the Patriots’ top pick in this year’s NFL draft. Jones was the top return man in the nation during his final season at Alabama, but thus far, he’s been unable to replicate that success in the pros. Ball security has been particularly problematic for the young cornerback, who’s fumbled four times on kick and punt returns this season.

The latest of Jones’ muffs came early in Sunday’s game, and it prompted Patriots coach Bill Belichick to bench him in favor of Amendola.

The other option is Julian Edelman. Edelman is New England’s best punt returner — and, statistically, one of the best in NFL history — but he’s also a tremendously important part of the Patriots’ offense. The wideout leads all Pats pass-catchers in receptions (72) and receiving yards (718) this season and likely will be quarterback Tom Brady’s favorite target down the stretch with star tight end Rob Gronkowski now on injured reserve.

Any injury to Edelman could crush the Patriots’ Super Bowl hopes. Is it really worth adding return duties to his already-heavy workload?

The Patriots also could choose to bring in a receiver with return capabilities. Keshawn Martin, who returned eight punts and 10 kickoffs for New England last season and currently is a free agent, would fit this criteria.

Amendola has fielded 18 punts this season, while Jones and Edelman each have fielded nine. Only one other current Patriots player has ever returned an NFL punt: safety Patrick Chung, who recorded one 4-yard return last season.